First bike - Yamaha SRV250

[Gus002]

Hi all

After riding a scooter/moped I need to upgrade to a bigger bike as need access to motorways etc for work. Have been looking around a fair bit and spotted this Yamaha Srv250. I've been recommended a Suzuki Gn250 however think they look kind of lame.

Here is the link to the bike I'm looking at - https://trademe.co.nz/1134127379

I know there are a couple of issues upfront. But would anybody be able to give me some advice on this, please?

Cheers

[nzspokes]

Hi, My best advice is buy a bike that is currently road legal.

That looks like trouble.

[Oakie]

I wouldn't. Work to do and that asking price will soon balloon out by perhaps another $1k all up.

Look for something that has not been converted. In conversions lie compromises and other people's shortcuts.

[OddDuck]

Looks like the seller is a Return Of The Cafe Racers fan :)

I agree, best to stay away. Costs on this bike will blow out, if not getting it back on the road, then soon after. It's 20 years old. Seals / gaskets / hoses / wiring will all be getting to the point where they're dodgy, particularly after a few rides in the wet. Sorting isn't going to stop with a rear tyre and fork seals.

Strongly suggest shopping for something around the 10 y.o. mark, current wof and reg.

[Ocean1]

Yeah that has a good chance of being character building.

If that's your budget limit this might be a better start: http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/cruiser/auction-1134156336.htm

If you can stretch it a bit this looks promising: http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/cruiser/auction-1135547716.htm

There's any number of GN250s and Yamaha Scorpios about that will teach you the beginnings, and they're OK on the motorway. 400cc is better though, gives you the very real extra option of accelerating out of trouble.

[nzspokes]

Yeah that has a good chance of being character building.

If that's your budget limit this might be a better start: http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/cruiser/auction-1134156336.htm

If you can stretch it a bit this looks promising: http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/cruiser/auction-1135547716.htm

There's any number of GN250s and Yamaha Scorpios about that will teach you the beginnings, and they're OK on the motorway. 400cc is better though, gives you the very real extra option of accelerating out of trouble.

That Volty would be a good little bike.

[Gus002]

Yeah that has a good chance of being character building.

If that's your budget limit this might be a better start: http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/cruiser/auction-1134156336.htm

If you can stretch it a bit this looks promising: http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/cruiser/auction-1135547716.htm

There's any number of GN250s and Yamaha Scorpios about that will teach you the beginnings, and they're OK on the motorway. 400cc is better though, gives you the very real extra option of accelerating out of trouble.

The TU250 looks like a pretty good option. Unfortunately am overseas for the next few weeks so hopefully can arrange an inspection when I get back.

Would that be a suitable bike for travelling across the Auckland Harbour Bridge everyday? That's one of my big concerns.

[Ocean1]

The TU250 looks like a pretty good option. Unfortunately am overseas for the next few weeks so hopefully can arrange an inspection when I get back.

Would that be a suitable bike for travelling across the Auckland Harbour Bridge everyday? That's one of my big concerns.

What makes a bike good for the bridge? Some of it's obvious, enough power to keep up with the flow, a bit of height in the seating arrangements... see here: http://cycle-ergo.com/

But probably the biggest thing is it's susceptibility to cross winds, which is a bit ineffable, difficult to establish without a specific rider and some actual windy riding.

As I said, if you can stretch to something => 350cc, < 40000k and < 10 years old it'd be more likely to work for you. Personally I'd be looking at nakeds, (what used to be called motorbikes) and probably dual purpose machines for shear fit-for-purpose practicality.

[Moi]

Which way would you be going? As in, with the heavy traffic or against it?

If with traffic, then your biggest issue will be crosswinds or headwinds as the traffic is going to hold you up until you're confident enough to lane split. If against traffic then again wind will be your biggest issue. Remember that the speed limit on the bridge is 80 km/h and the Volty should have no trouble maintaining that speed or 100 km/h once on the northern motorway.

Just my thoughts...

[Ocean1]

Remember that the speed limit on the bridge is 80 km/h

So that's what all the fuss was about...

[WristTwister]

Hi all

After riding a scooter/moped I need to upgrade to a bigger bike as need access to motorways etc for work. Have been looking around a fair bit and spotted this Yamaha Srv250. I've been recommended a Suzuki Gn250 however think they look kind of lame.

Here is the link to the bike I'm looking at - https://trademe.co.nz/1134127379

I know there are a couple of issues upfront. But would anybody be able to give me some advice on this, please?

Cheers

Assuming you get it for $2500, you're up for extra $$$ just to get it road legal;
PLUS rego which could be $400ish,
PLUS plate (don't know how much they are but a few hundy),
PLUS the fork seals have gone so you need to spend more $$$ just to get suspension sorted,
PLUS it needs a new rear tire
then finally you can pass a WOF.... (maybe).

so you do understand that this will cost much more than just the asking price? Are you really OK with that?

For $2500 you'd be better off going with something else to be honest. If it were me I'd buy something else, I found a heap of bikes under 600cc that you could choose from on Trademe and depending on your budget here's a good contender (Suzuki GZ250 marauder 2009, 16000ks): http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/cruiser/auction-1135428340.htm
(http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/cruiser/auction-1135428340.htm)

[Ifsn8u]

The TU250 looks like a pretty good option. Unfortunately am overseas for the next few weeks so hopefully can arrange an inspection when I get back.

Would that be a suitable bike for travelling across the Auckland Harbour Bridge everyday? That's one of my big concerns.

I used to be on a hyo gt250, travelled over the bridge mon-fri no matter the wind or weather. You will be fine with a 250. The worst i had was chop it down to 3rd to keep power up. that was in a head wind that was pretty epic. crosswinds, just stay in the middle lanes to minimise the wind blasts. Ride to the conditions. You will be sweet.

[Moi]

So that's what all the fuss was about...

What fuss?

[Ocean1]

What fuss?

Oh nothing. It was years ago. The Feds took exception to something. It was never really obvious that it was me they were wanting to talk to, there was a lot of other traffic around at the time.

[Gus002]

Will be going against traffic. City to Takapuna AM and Takapuna to City PM.

I guess the main concern was maintaining an appropriate speed and also managing potential wind issues. Driving to the conditions will be key. I quite like the look of the TU250 and will have a look at that one. Currently overseas and not back until September. So hopefully still available. If not I'm sure something else will come up.

Just excited to flick off the 50cc scooter and upgrade to a proper bike. Can't wait.

[nzspokes]

Will be going against traffic. City to Takapuna AM and Takapuna to City PM.

I guess the main concern was maintaining an appropriate speed and also managing potential wind issues. Driving to the conditions will be key. I quite like the look of the TU250 and will have a look at that one. Currently overseas and not back until September. So hopefully still available. If not I'm sure something else will come up.

Just excited to flick off the 50cc scooter and upgrade to a proper bike. Can't wait.

TU250 will be fine. The bridge is just a straight piece of road that goes over a hill. And being motorway the traffic is going the same way.

Easy, urban riding is harder.

[Gus002]

I just found this on trademe. A bit outside the price range but I figure that it would remove the requirement to upgrade to a bigger bike in the near future.

https://trademe.co.nz/1137270894

The tank is pretty awful. But I can look past that. Would a 400 be too big for a learner?

[Oakie]

What is the top price you can go to?

[nzspokes]

I just found this on trademe. A bit outside the price range but I figure that it would remove the requirement to upgrade to a bigger bike in the near future.

https://trademe.co.nz/1137270894

The tank is pretty awful. But I can look past that. Would a 400 be too big for a learner?

Of all the bikes in the 4k range you chose that?

[Gus002]

Personally I like the style of the Sr400.

That would be the max I would spend for a first bike.

[jafagsx250]

The tu 250 has had its odometer wound back. I was looking at buying it before I got the hyosung. The volt is pretty mechanically similar to the gn 250. Just Japanese made.

Sent from my GT-I9506 using Tapatalk

[Gus002]

The tu 250 has had its odometer wound back. I was looking at buying it before I got the hyosung. The volt is pretty mechanically similar to the gn 250. Just Japanese made.

Sent from my GT-I9506 using Tapatalk

Is that something that is a concern regarding the TU? And did you take it for a test ride or anything? Thanks for the advice.

[jafagsx250]

Is that something that is a concern regarding the TU? And did you take it for a test ride or anything? Thanks for the advice.

Depends. It'll probably be a reliable bike but It's all up to whether or not you're fine with it.

Nah. I didn't bother as I didn't want to waste his time as I rule out bikes with incorrect odometer s.

[Gus002]

Depends. It'll probably be a reliable bike but It's all up to whether or not you're fine with it.

Nah. I didn't bother as I didn't want to waste his time as I rule out bikes with incorrect odometer s.

Ok. I'll have to have a think about it. Thanks so much for the advice. How did you know that it had been wound back? Was there a difference in the paperwork to what the odo actually said?

[jafagsx250]

Ok. I'll have to have a think about it. Thanks so much for the advice. How did you know that it had been wound back? Was there a difference in the paperwork to what the odo actually said?

I used car jam. You get the plate number and chuck it in and it'll tell you whether or not the odometer is legit. Can buy a detailed report for less than 20 bucks I think which tells you heaps.